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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare total knee arthroplasty (TKA) rehabilitation with and without whole-body vibration (WBV) to 1) understand if WBV is a useful treatment during TKA rehabilitation to increase quadriceps strength and function, and 2) to investigate the effect of WBV on quadriceps voluntary muscle activation. Subject and Methods. Individuals post TKA (WBV n=8, control n=8) received physical therapy with and without WBV for four weeks. Quadriceps strength and muscle activation, function, perceived pain, and knee range of motion were measured. Results. No adverse side effects were reported in either group. There was a significant increase in strength and function for both groups (P<0.01). There was no difference pre to posttest between groups for strength, muscle activation, or pain (Hotelling’s T2=0.42, P=.80) or for function (F=0.54, P=0.66). Discussion and Conclusion. In individuals with TKA, WBV showed equal strength and function improvement to physical therapy directed progressive resistive exercise. Influence of WBV on muscle activation remains unclear, as initial muscle activation was near established normal quadriceps levels and remained so post treatment.